Valparaiso had one record-setting performance in a relay and nearly had another on Wednesday evening as the Crusaders opened up action at the Horizon League Swimming and Diving Championships held in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Brown and Gold saved the best for last on day one of the three-day championships, obliterating the school record in the 200 medley relay.Becky Crabtree (Mason, Ohio/Mason H.S.), Amy Andracki (Arlington Heights, Ill./Prospect H.S.), Rachel Majercik (Schaumburg, Ill./Conant H.S.), and Jaclyn Krause (Rochester, Mich./Notre Dame Prep H.S.) turned in a time of 1:46.57, bettering the old school mark set earlier this season by more than four seconds. The team finished fourth in the event, just .22 seconds out of runner-up position and just over a half second off the pace.

“We just killed the 200 medley relay,” interim head coach Barbara Tyree said. “It was a really good start to the championships.”

Valpo’s 200 freestyle relay opened the night nearly setting another school record with a time of 1:37.29. Crabtree, Majercik, Krause, and Laura Rickey (Monmouth, Ill./Monmouth-Roseville H.S.) finished fifth with the second fastest mark in school history, just .39 seconds off of record-setting pace.

In the other event final of the evening, Stephanie Ferschl (Mukwonago, Wis./Mukwonago H.S.) turned in the Crusaders’ fastest 1,000 freestyle time of the day touching the wall in 11:04.62. The mark was a collegiate best for the freshman.

“We had some really fast swims today,” Tyree added. “We’re expecting some even faster ones later in the weekend.”

Valpo heads into Thursday’s competition in sixth place with 58 points through the three events. Wright State leads with 135 points with Milwaukee second with 104 points. Green Bay is third and UIC is fourth with 89 and 80 points respectively, and Youngstown State is one spot ahead of the Crusaders with 69 points. Cleveland State is seventh with 48 points and Butler is eighth with 44 points.

Thursday’s events will begin with preliminary heats at 9 a.m. CST and the finals slated for 5 p.m. Coverage of the finals can be viewed live online on the Horizon League Network.